As our summer comes to end in North America, we are ready to book tours for the early parts of the new year.
January and February in our areas are the depth of winter and many people are planning their escapes early.
NOW is the best time to plan your tour to Africa if you want to have the best selections for the best areas from January to June 2025.
Read below what months and areas to consider when planning your tour, and let us help you with your travel plans:
January/February:
After some rain occurred in the Serengeti in Tanzania, we are now entering the short dry season in East Africa. The Great Migration will make its way or has already arrived in the southern part of the Serengeti and the Ndutu Conservation area in the second half of the month. Some of the female Wildebeest are heavily pregnant by now, and they will start dropping their babies in the Ndutu area. The early weeks of February have most of the plains animals in birthing mode, and predators sure know to take advantage of this.
If you find yourself in the Masai Mara in Kenya, you will enjoy the areas with fewer tourists as the Great Migration will NOT be here. Plains game also gives birth here, predator action would be more common than in the other months.
Gorilla and Chimp trekking will also be great, as Rwanda and Uganda also experience a short dry period at this time.
The tropical islands (Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island) are hot and sunny, and the oceans are clear making it a great time to go snorkeling and diving.
In Southern Africa, the rains have settled in and it is low season. Very few tourists will make it down here now, some areas are closed due to the rainfall.
However, there are some areas where you can take advantage of the low crowds and low pricing that come in the low season and still have a great safari. The Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is one such area and can be visited in these months, until late March. Temperatures will be warm to hot (high 20’s to mid 30’s C), plains game will give birth here, too, predator action should be more common during this time. The area known as the Little Serengeti will teem with plains game, mainly zebras and wildebeest (just like in the Serengeti) who congregate here and give birth. Predators should not be far away!
The Victoria Falls present themselves in their full beauty. Water levels will be high, temperatures will be pleasant, however, you will want to pack a rain jacket as some rainy days should be expected.
Safari in Botswana is less exciting in January and February but will pick up significantly from mid-March onwards.
March / April:
As the rain settles in the plains of East Africa, Southern Africa moves towards the end of the rainy season. March is shoulder season in East Africa as the early month can still be pleasant for travel, April is low season as the long rains will have started by now. Birding is spectacular during these months, and wildlife action will also be plentiful. If you do decide to visit here during these months, you can take advantage of low pricing, and low crowds but prepare for rainy days.
Going to Southern Africa in late March and April can be very rewarding as prices are still low, numbers of tourists are low as well and wildlife action will be plenty. Botswana’s Okavango Delta will be much more affordable in these months and safari there is beautiful.
As the hot and rainy summer months come to an end, days are cooler and pleasant in late March and April. The foliage will still be relatively dense but the expert guides know where to find the animals and will get you into great positions for spectacular photography.
May:
May is an excellent month to go on safari in Southern Africa. Rains will now have largely stopped and the colder temperatures make shrubs and trees shed their leaves. Safari will be wonderful as we are not quite yet in the high season, prices are mostly still at shoulder season levels and tourist numbers are low.
Some seasonal camps in Zambia and Zimbabwe that close during the rain are now reopening, and walking safaris are possible in some spots here.
East Africa is still in the rainy season, but the rains will subside by the end of the month and better days are ahead!
June:
June is the start of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing season. Winter is setting in in Southern Africa with cooler temperatures, and sparse foliage making it great for wildlife viewing with still low crowds. The change to the cooler air makes for mystical misty mornings on the plains of Africa – a very special time indeed!
Drier weather and ongoing moderate temperatures will start now in East Africa. Since the high season has not yet started, you can expect fewer tourist vehicles. Some lodges are still in shoulder season pricing but most are now increasing their pricing to high season rates.
In our opinion, June is the best month to go on a safari!
Now you know what to expect for the early months in Africa.
Because pricing is relatively competitive during this time, more and more travelers give the low season some thought.
Don’t miss out and plan your tour to Africa NOW to experience Africa away from the crowds with as much authenticity as possible!
Email or call us TODAY to plan your tour for 2025.
888-502-3742
travel@africatourssafaris.com
AuthenticAfricaToursAndSafaris.com
